Research and Dissemination

University Training
Community Service Activities
Research and Dissemination

Innovative Service Demonstrations (Direct Services)
IDS interacts with state and local community organizations and consumers to promote innovative service demonstrations that are community-based, values-driven, and culturally sensitive. In FY 2005, IDS provided services to approximately 627 direct service clients and 1,837 community-based clients. Benefits and outcomes from service demonstration projects include:

• opportunities for university students to gain understanding and skills regarding best practices for service delivery
• a foundation for research, product development, and dissemination
• demonstration of models for systems change across the four program areas and life span stages
• direct impact upon the independence, productivity, and integration of consumers involved in the demonstration programs
• indirect consumer impact through facilitation of systems change at national, regional, and state levels through dissemination of programs/activities for service replications.

Research and Dissemination
Research and dissemination activities interact with all other core functions in order to keep professionals, consumers, and the public abreast of current issues, national trends, and best practices for developmental disability services. IDS maintains an extensive library of print and video materials while publishing a periodic newsletter, directories, training manuals, conference proceedings, articles, and brochures. Current trends and beliefs regarding best practices are validated for impact upon consumers through applied research activities.

Benefits and outcomes include increased awareness of issues, trends, and best practices substantiated by research that affects systems change.